Instead of the traditional farewell to fellow aldermen and welcome to incoming officials, Port Washington Ald. Dave Larson used last Wednesday’s Common Council meeting — the day after the April election — to lecture the city’s newest aldermen on their responsibilities.

He singled out aldermen-elect John Sigwart, who defeated incumbent Ald. Dan Becker, the council president, by a vote of 260-98, and Mike Gasper, one of two candidates who ousted incumbent Bill Driscoll in the February primary and who ultimately won the election.

Both Sigwart and Gasper expressed opposition to the proposed Blues Factory development on the city’s lakefront in an election defined by concerns about development.

“I think we all know what issues were behind this election,” Larson added. “If there’s some type of message we’re supposed to be sent here, I don’t see it.

“I think this was a vocal minority that took advantage of a low-turnout election. I think that silent majority is going to become very loud very soon.”

Larson also told the new aldermen, “You’re not one of us. You’re part of this group.”

Larson told Sigwart and Gasper that while they may have won by a substantial margin, they represent all the people in their districts, not just those who oppose development.

“You represent the taxpayers, not the voters,” Larson said.

Sigwart said this week that he was taken aback by Larson’s comments.

“I was disappointed he felt he had to remind me I represent the people of my district. That was insulting,” Sigwart said. “He took a shot across the bow that’s going to be hard to forget.

“I don’t believe what he said was all that terrible, except when he said I was not one of them. I thought that was very bad.”

Gasper said this week that Larson’s comments were “kind of disappointing.”

“It’s not a very welcoming attitude to change on the council,” he said. “You have to roll with it if you’re on the council. There will be different people who come on and you have to work with them.

“If we want to be successful working together, we can’t all hate each other.”

In his speech, Larson also talked about the tone of the campaign, saying some of the rhetoric was “frustrating at best.”

He said he was surprised by the amount of misinformation being circulated, especially at a listening session he attended before the election.

“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” Larson said. “I truly believe they are only hearing what they want to hear.”

Much of the correct information is available, reported in Ozaukee Press and elsewhere, he said.

The outgoing aldermen — Bill Driscoll, Dan Becker and Kevin Rudser — were praised for their service by their fellow officials during the meeting, and they offered their own parting thoughts.

Driscoll said his biggest frustration was that throughout his tenure, few people contacted him to discuss their opinions on issues.

“That’s the one thing I would change,” he said. “I don’t know how to do that.”

He said there was one vote he regretted during his years on the council — not the Blues Factory, he emphasized — adding that he believes history will prove that the council’s decision to sell the north marina slip parking lot for the entertainment complex was the right one.

Becker acknowledged the development controversies, particularly the council’s decision to sell a city-owned lakefront parking lot for the Blues Factory, saying, “At the end of the day, it didn’t really matter what business was proposed for that site. They (development opponents) would have opposed anything on that site. What’s being opposed by many is change.”

Addressing the incoming officials, Becker said, “I ask you to be bold and not only look at the needs of the city today but for generations to come. We need to be forward focused.”

While the city has come a long way in recent years, there’s still plenty of work to be done, he said.

Port council expected to approve purchase of converted church that served as center since 2011

The Port Washington Common Council on Wednesday was expected to finalize the purchase of the former St. John’s Lutheran Church for the Senior Center.

Aldermen were expected to act on a resolution authorizing officials to close the deal on the Senior Center and to consider financing for the purchase.

Officials announced in February that they had reached an agreement to pay $415,000 for the former church at 403 W. Foster St.

The senior center has been located in the building since 2011, with the city leasing the building from KAB Enterprises LLC, which is owned by Jan and Paul Schueller.

In return, the Schuellers have agreed to donate $15,000 to the city to extend the INFOS Port Washington system, a real-time beach safety measure, to the south beach, officials said.

Although there have been some complaints about the senior center, city officials note that purchasing the building will ensure seniors have a place to go.

While several committees had recommended the city instead buy the Aurora Medical Center building at 1777 W. Grand Ave. and renovate it as a community and senior center, a project estimated to cost $1.25 million, officials said that could take years since the seniors had not yet begun to raise funds for the purchase.

The city’s decision in January to make an offer to buy the former church ends a years-long debate over where the senior center should be housed.

For decades, the center was located in the former fire station at the corner of Pier and Wisconsin streets in downtown. But a number of problems, including a lack of accessibility, forced the city to seek a new building for the center.

Although the Commission on Aging explored a number of ideas, the city opted to lease the former church in a complex deal to keep Franklin Energy in Port Washington.

Franklin Energy, which had its offices in the former church, moved to the upper floor of the Smith Bros. Marketplace building in downtown in exchange for the city leasing its former home for the Senior Center.

The city spent $235,300 to renovate the building, including the installation of an elevator. But seniors have been vocal in expressing concerns about the building, particularly the lack of convenient parking and accessibility issues.

Two years ago, aldermen said they did not want to provide a senior center facility, although they were willing to provide programming and staff,.

But with concerns swirling over the fate of the Senior Center, the Common Council agreed in January to make an offer to buy the former church.

Candidates opposed to Blues Factory have similar views on developent

Based largely on their positions on growth and development, Mike Gasper and Don Cosentine knocked incumbent Port Washington Ald. Bill Driscoll off Tuesday’s ballot for the 3rd District aldermanic seat.

Now, the challenge before them is to distinguish themselves from each other.

“Mike and I pretty much agree on everything,” Cosentine said. “We both want more open government.”

The difference, he said, is that he has the ear of more people in the district.

“I think I’m more in contact with the residents,” Cosentine said.

Gasper agreed that the two have similar positions on the issues, but said he believes he has a broader perspective when it comes to the search for answers.

“I think I’m a little more up on what other communities are doing to solve these problems,” he said. “I’d like to think I have a little bit to offer more in terms of solutions.”

Both men said they decided to run for office based on the city’s decision to sell a publicly owned lakefront parking lot for the Blues Factory.

Cosentine, 72, of 518 Brentwood Ct., said he would prefer the city use the parking lot as a public space, saying people often park there and look at the lake.

There are several things Cosentine said he doesn’t like about the Blues Factory proposal — its emphasis on the blues, which he said isn’t popular, and the architecture, which resembles the former Chair Factory.

“Why do we want to copy an old building?” he asked.

Downtown development in general shouldn’t copy the existing architecture, Cosentine said, but be in a more modern style.

Major projects, he added, should be decided not by the Common Council but by referendum, and more information should be made public before major decisions are made.

“I want everyone to be heard,” Cosentine said, adding he would call people in his district to get their opinions on major issues.

Gasper, 38, of 514 W. Chestnut St., said he opposes the Blues Factory largely because most people seem to.

“I haven’t heard anyone in Port who seems to be in favor of it,” he said. “Their (city officials’) vision seems to be different from most people.

Gasper said he’s not against the Blues Factory concept— particularly the theater space — only the location.

“It could be across the street and be fine,” he said.

There are better uses for that site, he added, such as a headquarters for the proposed shipwreck sanctuary or a business that requires lake access.

In terms of other marina district developments — townhouses proposed by architect Stephen Perry Smith and Ansay Development’s plans for a six-story commercial development on the NewPort Shores restaurant property — Gasper said he prefers to see smaller-scale development.

He said he would advocate for a form-based zoning code in downtown that would set the parameters for structures rather than the current use-based zoning.

“Anything new should fit into what’s already there,” Gasper said, and form-based zoning would be a better way to ensure that happens.

Gasper also said he opposes the use of development incentives through the tax incremental financing district. TIF districts were originally intended to redevelop blighted property, he said, and should be used only for that purpose.

Otherwise, he said, the city is taking on some of the risk of development.

Many communities do use TIF development incentives, he acknowledged, “but from my perspective, it’s not something you should do. A lot of cities are doing that, but does that make it the right thing to do?”

Cosentine also disagreed with the use of development incentives, saying too many of the developments offer little to residents.

He said he is wary of the proposed lakefront developments. There’s no need for more residential growth downtown, Cosentine said, noting he fears it will crowd the area and exacerbate parking problems.

“Condos and apartments are not the answer for downtown,” Cosentine said. “Perhaps offices would be better for downtown.”

He said he favors creating a transportation system that would take Port residents to places such as Bayshore Town Center and bring those residents to Port to shop.

“I think that would bring development to downtown, more so than condos and apartments,” he said.

Cosentine said he wants to see the city slow down development.

“To see Port Washington grow is wonderful, but let’s slow it down a bit,” he said. “I think people appreciate coming to a town that doesn’t change much or change too quickly.”

Cosentine said people should vote for him because he is willing to take the time to ensure they are heard.

Gasper said he will bring a new perspective to government and work to ensure projects brought to the Common Council are financially viable now and in the future.

“I’m not afraid to vote against the crowd,” he said. “I haven’t liked the entire direction the council has gone. People live here because they like the charm, and they don’t want to see it all changed to generate tax base.”

PW-S school official who has never faced opposition, teacher making third bid differ on early release, technology

Veteran Port Washington-Saukville School Board member Brian McCutcheon has experienced a lot since being elected to the board as a write-in candidate 19 years ago, but never a contested election.

That will change on Tuesday, April 4, when voters will have a choice between McCutcheon and challenger Aaron Paulin, a social studies teacher at West Bend West High School who is making his third run in as many years for a seat on the School Board representing the City of Port Washington.

“I’m going to keep running until I win,” Paulin, 38, said. “I want to be invested in this community and this school district.”

As the longtime chairman of the board’s Building and Grounds Committee, McCutcheon, 59, has played a key role in planning for the $49.4 million referendum that was approved by voters in April 2015 and overseeing the projects it paved the way for — the $3.8 million expansion and renovation of Dunwiddie Elementary School, which was essentially completed in December, and the ongoing $45.6 million Port Washington High School project, which entails the construction of a new academic wing, the demolition and reconstruction of the oldest part of the school and extensive renovations.

“Our projects are going very well,” said McCutcheon, who called the board’s decision to hire Bray Architects and C.D. Smith Construction to design and manage the projects key to the success of the school improvement initiative.

“I’m confident our projects will be completed on time and on budget,” he said.

Paulin said that as a teacher and parent of children in the Port-Saukville School District, he understands the need for high-quality facilities and supported the referendum.

“If we want our students to have the skills to be college and career ready, this was absolutely necessary,” he said.

And in a day and age when students have a choice of where they go to school, modern facilities promise to benefit the district financially, Paulin said.

“These projects are huge for open enrollment,” he said. “One of my priorities is pulling kids from other districts into ours.”

Both candidates said they support a proposed Port High outdoor athletic facility improvement project that calls for artificial turf football and baseball fields, a new eight-lane running track and seating, but only if the PWSSD Education Foundation, a recently formed nonprofit organization, raises most if not all the money for the project. The cost is not yet known.

If the district is to make a financial contribution to the project, it could do so with proceeds from the sale of 54.5 acres it purchased in 1969 and is now trying to sell. The proceeds from the sale must be used for capital improvements if the district is to avoid losing millions of dollars in state aid.

“I would support maybe using some of that money to pay for small parts of that project, but not a significant part,” McCutcheon said. “I believe the foundation will take care of most of the cost.”

Paulin, however, said he is not convinced the district should sell the land it has held onto for 48 years as a future school site, noting that the issue came up during referendum informational meetings.

“We’re a growing community,” he said. “In 10, 15, even 30 years, are we going to have to build a new school? I see this land as being valuable to the district in the future.

“At referendum meetings, there were mixed feelings about selling it.”

But McCutcheon said the board’s decision to sell the property, which is small by contemporary school site standards and, according to school officials, no longer needed because facility needs for the foreseeable future are being addressed by the referendum projects, is consistent with what taxpayers want.

“We listened to the public and said that if the referendum passes, we’ll sell this land,” he said.

McCutcheon and Paulin agree the district must maintain the quality of its core curriculum while continuing to support and expand fine and performing arts and technology education offerings.

“Despite budget challenges, we have found ways to expand classes ranging from AP (advanced placement) to advanced welding,” McCutcheon said, adding that the high school project will strengthen core curricular courses, technology education and the arts with new and renovated facilities.

While investing in educational programs is critical, Paulin said, the district has “over invested” in technology.

“Investing in all disciplines of education is a must, but I question all the fancy, new pieces of technology the district is buying, like Smart Boards,” he said. “We don’t need Smart Boards in every classroom.”

Paulin is also critical of the district’s decision to provide each student in fifth through 12th grade with a computer to use as his or her own during the school year.

“Every student doesn’t need their own iPad,” he said. “Working inside education, I know we don’t need to over invest in technology.”

McCutcheon disagrees.

“We live in a world that is technology driven and we need technology in our schools,” he said. “We’re preparing kids for careers that don’t even exist yet.”

Paulin said the district’s calendar also needs to be overhauled to do away with early student release days, which are unproductive for students and teachers and cause complications for working parents.

This school year there are a total of six days in which all students are released late morning after about three-and-a-half hours of instruction to provide staff members with time for professional growth meetings and records work.

“Because classes on half days have to be shortened, it’s hard for students and teachers to get anything done,” he said. “If you want to do it right, combine the half days into fewer full days for teacher in-service. We had half days in West Bend and it was tough. Now we have full days (for in-service) and things are getting done.

“And do you know what a pain it is to arrange to pick up your children early and find child care for them?”

McCutcheon, however, said half days are an efficient way to teach students and provide professional development for teachers without adding days to the school calendar.

“Our half days are considered whole days,” he said. “If we had full days off school for teacher development, we’d have to add days to the school year. And I believe half days are productive.”

McCutcheon said he and other board members have demonstrated the desire and ability to listen to their constituents and made decisions accordingly. Most notably, McCutcheon said, the scope of the referendum and the projects it called for reflect the feedback he and other officials received from a district survey and the 20 or so community presentations.

“For instance, we heard from the public that they didn’t want a new high school built somewhere else,” he said. “We listened, and now we’ll have a like-new high school in its current site.”

McCutcheon also said one of the strengths of the district is its core of administrators, noting that he was a member of committees that selected several school leaders, including Supt. Michael Weber.

Paulin said he would bring new ideas to the board. As a teacher, he said, he has a thorough knowledge of education, from school funding to classroom instruction. And as a parent of thee children, two of whom are of school age and enrolled in district classes, he has a vested interest in the quality of the district.

“I have a lot of experience in education and understand the challenges facing school districts,” he said. “I also have the ability to build relationships in the community that are vital for districts.”

Also in next week’s election, Port Washington-Saukville School Board member Sara McCutcheon will face challenger Scott Fischer for seat representing the Village of Saukville. (See story on page 2.)

School Board member Marchell Longstaff is running unopposed for a seat representing the Town of Port Washington.

Although board members represent specific municipalities within the district, they are elected at-large, or by all voters in the district. They serve three year terms.

Incumbent wants to see referendum projects through, opponent says he could help district like he has village

Longtime Port Washington-Saukville School Board member Sara McCutcheon, who is running for re-election in the Tuesday, April 4, election, said she is determined to finish what she and her fellow board members started with the $49.4 million referendum that paved the way for the ongoing Port Washington High School project.

Her challenger, Scott Fischer, who opposed the referendum, said he thinks it’s time for a change.

Appointed to represent the Village of Saukville on the School Board in 1997 and elected the following year, McCutcheon, 52, said approval of the referendum in April 2015 was a highlight of her tenure on the board, but noted there is still work to be done overseeing the $45.6 million high school project. She said the board’s decisions to hire Bray Architects and C.D. Smith Construction to design and manage the projects have been key to the success of the work so far.

“From the very beginning, things could not have gone better,” she said. “I generally don’t believe in people sticking around (in elected office) as along as I have, but my hope is that I get to see the referendum projects finished.

“I am so proud the referendum passed.”

Fischer, a Village of Saukville trustee, said the School Board should not have had to ask voters for permission to borrow $49.9 million to maintain and improve schools.

“I feel that with the amount of money the district receives from taxes, it should have been able to maintain its buildings,” he said.

That, McCutcheon said, is unrealistic under a state school funding system that makes it difficult for districts to balance their budgets without cutting educational programs and impossible to finance major building projects.

She noted that about 15 years ago the district created a budget line item for capital improvements and currently earmarks $200,000 annually for that purpose.

“The board has remained committed to setting that money aside every year, even during some very challenging budgets,” McCutcheon said. “We take very good care of our buildings with the dollars we have to work with.”

Fischer and McCutcheon said they both support a high school outdoor athletic field improvement plan that calls for artificial turf football and baseball fields, a new track and new bleachers, as long as the recently formed non-profit PWSSD Education Foundation raises the money for the project. The cost of the project has not been determined.

“If it’s paid for through fundraising, then yes, I’m in favor of it,” Fischer said. “In the village, if we want a new pavilion or benches, we call on groups and organizations rather than taxpayers to help.”

McCutcheon said, “Athletic field upgrades would finish off the high school project nicely, but it will have to take donations to make that happen. My priority is making sure the referendum projects are finished on time and on budget.”

If the district is to invest in the athletic field project, it could do so with proceeds from the sale of 54.5 acres it purchased in 1969 as a future school site and is now working to sell. Proceeds from the land sale must be spent on capital improvement projects if the district is to avoid losing millions of dollars in state aid.

McCutcheon said that is an option, but first the district should make sure the referendum projects are completed.

Fischer said the proceeds from the sale should be set aside for building maintenance.

“With projects at only two schools included in the referendum, it makes me think that there could be another referendum if the district doesn’t have money for building maintenance,” he said.

McCutcheon said the board has worked to make sure the district offers a strong core curriculum while also supporting the arts and technology education. That is critical, she said, to the district’s mission to prepare students for life after high school.

“I think things like the arts and tech-ed are as important as the core curriculum,” she said. “We need well-rounded students, and without things like the arts, that’s impossible.

“I see us continuing to offer as many opportunities for our students as we possibly can.”

Fischer said he too believes that a well-rounded education, one that prepares students for a number of different paths in life, is important.

“Not every kid is cut out to be a college student,” he said. “We have employers looking for employees, so things like the industrial arts are important to teach.”

McCutcheon said the most formidable challenge facing the school district is cuts to state education funding.

“We’ve been very creative, but I believe our students deserve more,” she said, calling the expansion of the state school voucher program a “threat to public education.”

Teacher recruitment and retention is also a challenge at a time when fewer college graduates are choosing teaching as a career, but the district’s reputation as a premiere place to work has helped it maintain a staff of talented educators, McCutcheon said.

“Those teachers who are leaving other districts but staying in education are coming to us,” she said. “But we have to continue to look at ways to help out new teachers in terms of salary so they can afford to remain in education.”

Fischer said finding ways to pay for infrastructure maintenance is the district’s most pressing challenge.

“We have to come up with the money for the maintenance of our schools without referendums,” he said.

Fischer said he would bring “a new vision” to the board along with a fiscally conservative philosophy.

“I don’t spend money until I have the money to spend,” he said. “I don’t go to work and say, ‘Hey, I need a raise because I want to buy a lot of new things.’

“I believe that I’ve been able to help the village since being on the Village Board. I thought now I can help the School Board.”

McCutcheon said her 20 years on the School Board give her the historical perspective needed to make educated decisions about the district’s future.

“I bring a voice of history to the board,” she said. “I’m extremely proud of the work the board has done over my 20 years as a member.”

In particular, McCutcheon said, she has been driven by a commitment to providing the best education possible for students of all abilities.

“I have a passion for children,” she said. “We have an obligations to educate all students to their highest ability, whether they are students who struggle, excel or are right in the middle.”

Also in next week’s election, Port Washington-Saukville School Board member Brian McCutcheon will face challenger Aaron Paulin for seat representing the City of Port Washington. (See story on page 3.)